Some are still running on fumes from the emotional high that opening presents and seeing family brought. They may even try to extend the holiday an extra week, with varying degrees of success.

Others feel guilty for over-indulging in holiday sweets and are on a weeklong shame fest. They are already starting to make those New Year’s resolutions.

Even others are dealing with the disappointment of another year gone by, another December 25 come and gone, and a lingering feeling of emptiness after the last gift is unwrapped.

For years, I felt this way about Christmas, and to an extent, still sometimes do.

There is so much hype and expectation, building up to a single day. How does it live up to its potential? And what do we do the days after Christmas, when for many of us, a good old-fashioned case of the blues settles in?

Write about it

If you feel something deep and dark, maybe even cynical, write about it. Use a notebook or laptop, and let yourself process the feelings without restraint.

In other words, grieve.

Did you have an amazing Christmas and you’re sad to see it go? Write about it. Did everyone get into a fight and yell at each other? Write about that, too.

Did you end the day, cynical and frustrated, not believing in the so-called “magic” of Christmas? Yes, write even about that.

And as you write, let go

As the memories and frustrations wash over you, let the feelings slip away. Honor them as they come. But don’t dwell on them. Be present to your emotions. And then, let them fade.

This is what grieving is for: not hanging on, but letting go.

Maybe you need to write a lament, like I did. This is a sort of anti-Christmas carol. Instead of singing of the joys of the coming holiday, mourn its passing — whether you loved it or hated it.

Have a funeral for this day of wonder and awe. Because it’s gone. And it won’t be coming back. You will never get this Christmas back.

So shed a tear or sing a “hallelujah.” Do whatever you need to do to let it go. There are 364 other days that need your attention; don’t dwell in the past or on the future. Focus on where you are right now.

Writing (or any creative act) can help you with this.

Ways to work through the blues

If you get stuck, here are some ideas:

Write a poem about the feelings you felt right after opening presents. Disappointment? Anger? Release? Capture them in words.

Write a complaint letter to Santa Claus about your disillusionment. What really miffs you about this holiday? Tell the old fat man “how it is.”

Write a blog post, describing Christmas day, without all the fluffy exaggerations. Be honest. If you didn’t like a gift, say so. Write what we’re all thinking.

If you’re so inclined, write a sad song and sing it aloud — for yourself or others to hear.

Pray a prayer that allows you to grieve the passing of the day, while still honoring its importance.

Paint a picture, listen to music, or do some woodworking. Just create something. Anything.

This is how we work through disappointment and overcome tragedy. We grieve. We process. We pay attention to what we’re feeling, so that we can move on. We own our feelings, so they don’t own us.

This is healthy. This is right. This is necessary.

Be brave today (and the days following Christmas); learn to grieve and let go. There is a wonderful lesson about life and loss to be learned here. If you will be present. If you will press in, mourn, and move on.

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Karen

Good advice. I have something weighing on my mind. I think I’ll take a moment today to “pray write” about it.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Very cool. Would love to see your work if you feel comfortable sharing.

http://www.hopestillfloats.wordpress.com/ Hope Naomi

Mmmm great post.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Mmmmm. Thank you. I take my own advice this afternoon (another post coming in a few hours).

http://patwashington.blogspot.com/ Pat Washington

But Jeff, there are twelve days of Christmas. It’s the Christmas season. Retailers may want people to believe that it all hangs on the 25th and then it is over but that’s just not true. Even the wise men didn’t make it by the 25th. Further, I don’t think Jesus would mind a bit if we celebrated his incarnation on any day the spirit moves us.

http://patwashington.blogspot.com/ Pat Washington

So…maybe I should write about that, huh?

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Yep

http://www.patwashington.blogspot.com Pat Washington

So I wrote a little about it, but it’s hokey, I think. Too much post-surgery percocet and Christmas cookies, I think.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

hah! still would love to hear it.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Right, Pat. This is what I’m learning.

http://www.eileenknowles.com/ Eileen

Write about it…I knew you were gonna say that! And its good advice. I used to get those after holiday/vacation blues quite a bit. Not so much anymore. I’m slowly learning to live expectantly without expectations, if that makes sense. If I have preconceived notions of the “perfect” holiday or vacation…I will be disappointed. But remembering to live in the moment has been a great alternative and a great way to avoid the blues.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

ah yes. expectancy versus expectation. very good.

Joni

Thank
you Jeff, for saying what many of us are thinking. Due to health reasons I
cannot work a “regular job”, therefore, I can no longer buy gifts or food to
cook big meals. Although I live in the same town as most of my family, I am
unable to socialize with them at this time (psychiatrist orders).

Due to
a miracle, my son, the only one who does not judge my illnesses (mental health)
was able to come in from LA and spend two weeks with me. He and I are both poor
financially but we realize there is more to God’s world than money. We are
living our dreams by working our artistic abilities. His gift to me was yard
work and home maintenance and I gave him a homemade gift.

This
has helped me realize (once again) the true meaning of Christmas. I believe if
the Son of God can survive birth in a stable, I can deal with a three-foot
plastic tree with no presents and no responsibilities but to focus on the
Reason for the Season.

Bless
You,

Joni

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

I love that, Joni.

http://www.patwashington.blogspot.com Pat Washington

Joni, most of my Christmases within the past decade have been a bit rough. This Christmas and last I have been recovering from surgeries, so I feel for you when you say you “can deal with a three-foot plastic tree with no presents and no responsibilities but to focus on the Reason for the Season.” In a way, isn’t that freeing? We have the perfect opportunity to “be still, and know that [He is] God.”
My prayers for your return to good health and satisfaction in your artistic endeavors.

Brown Joni

The same to you Pat. Yes, it is freeing.

http://www.publicationcoach.com/ Daphne Gray-Grant

Hmm, I think I’d say: Don’t ever pin all your hopes on one day, one manuscript, one person. What REALLY counts is what you do day after day for the entire year! For writers I’d ask: Are you writing every day (and by that I mean five days a week), are you keeping your writing SEPARATE from your self-editing and are you able to write without pre-judging what you’re producing. If you can do all of these things, then I don’t think you’ll need to suffer from any “blue” days!

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Hmmm… I think there’s wisdom there, Daphne, but this also runs the risk of glossing over the pain and angst a lot of people feel around the holidays. There’s something to that, I think.

Joni

If that were only possible for some people. I would give up a lot to not have depression and other illnesses.

David Whittacre

Joni – It sounds to me like you have already given up a lot. My illnesses kept me in my apartment alone, kind of like you, but I found distractions. I watched two DVD movies that I had just gotten, and my favorite Christmas movie, “The Christmas Story” played all day on TBS, so it was just a TV day for me. It takes up time, and it distracts. AND, of course, there’s always napping. Depressed people can do that very well, and I should know because of my clinical depression. It’s a bummer, isn’t it? So, next year load up on DVD’s or VHS tapes, and prepare by having some good food around. Reach out to people, even if you don’t know them so well. Maybe they can help with the movies and food and munchies. Church groups are always looking for people like you…someone they can help in some way…even if there’s no affiliation with that church for you. Reach out…

Izarradar

Nice post, Jeff. And so true—writing is like a salve that soothes the pain.

Thank you, Jeff. As Joni said, there are many who have the same thoughts. However, if I didn’t have my church family, Christmas would be a very difficult time. When our daughters were born (34 and 32 years ago) our daily lives took a direct hit. We had ups and downs. And while we had warnings, we couldn’t always plan very far in advance with any assurance that our plans would come to fruition. You see, both were born with Cystic Fibrosis. Talk about a short and severe learning curve! I think through the years there wasn’t one season, holiday, or birthday that at some time wasn’t spent sick before, during or after or in the hospital. But we managed to get through. They graduated from high school and college and our younger daughter even married her high school sweetheart!

Then eight years ago she contracted the flu (remember the awful bird flu?). That was her second married Christmas and she was in the hospital. By New Year’s Day she was in ICU. And on January 9 she went Home to be with Jesus.

In the years since, there have been struggles. But Christmas has never been the hardest – it was her birthday, her engagement day, her wedding day, the sunny day in January (God has always given us a sunny day), the day she learned to walk or even the day she walked as a college graduate.

Long ago BC (before children), we began some traditions for Christmas and those we have continued. One that is so near and dear is our Christmas breakfast with a couple from our church. It used to include my husband’s parents until their passing. We took turns hosting! The “center piece” of the menu is breakfast pizza – we all love it! It is always so much fun to just be together for a short time Christmas morning before we all move on to other plans of the day. Now we have another family who joins us. And we create many good memories. It is these stories that are the gifts. The things that sustained us. The stories we are able to look back on and think about and that help us through the difficult times.

Brown Joni

I am so sorry to hear of the lost of your child. They will always be our children no matter how old they are. Loved ones I have known that have lost children of any age explain that their world is never the same. They can experience happiness and life does go on but things will never, ever be the same. How could they be? That she is with Jesus has got to be your saving Grace without her. My friends tell me it helps when I bring up their lost children’s names and memory. They are already thinking about them and it helps to know others are also.
Peace to you,
Joni

http://www.nginaotiende.blogspot.com Ngina Otiende

Thank you for the inspiration Jeff.

Here’s the link to the post http://nginaotiende.blogspot.com/2011/12/overcoming-my-christmas-blues-welcoming.html

I’m originally from Louisiana, so there is no time for the blues. It is time to prepare for the coming of the wise men next week, which means time to clean up Christmas and convert it to Mardi Gras. King cake parties will begin next week. Another day and another way to celebrate Jesus.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Love it!

http://twitter.com/cupojoegirl Eileen Knowles

Nice post, Jeff. I had to write about the a sadness today too. It’s been a few years since I’ve felt the tension between joy and sorrow so strongly on Christmas. It felt good to put it into words. I think some times we (I) buy into the lie that if we have hope and faith then it’s some how wrong to feel sad. But acknowledging the sadness is very healing. http://eileenknowles.com/riding-the-wave-of-hope/

Margaret

Praying for a Merry Christmas Season and a Happy New Year to you!

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

right back at you, Margaret!

Carolyne Rohrig

The day after Christmas.
That’s when Letdown slips in.
Usually around 7 a.m.
It slithers under the door wearing grey.
“You dashed expectations for another year,” Letdown whispers in my ear.
I slice through the wrapping paper, limp bows, and empty boxes on the living room floor on my way to the kitchen for coffee.
Come to think of it, gifts and food and twinkling Christmas lights are appealing but there’s no magic in them.
The magic comes in the shape of people, with one person in particular, and he was poor and marginalized from birth.
“I’m in good company. Jesus dashed all expectations, too,” I tell Letdown.
He has no response and slinks away.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

i like it.

airdizzy43

No blues — just a little surprised how, as a parent, December now zips by.

Maintaining composureEspecially in the holiday season love wants to be expressed in numerous ways. Generosity can be felt, compassion, and sympathy.There are deep feelings of bonding, connection, and warmth.Joy is present everywhere, paired with gratitude.An atmosphere of departure is in the air.And people are struggling to keep their human facade. The facade that shouldn’t be cracked, that shouldn’t wear too thin. The human composure that needs to be maintained.We mutually ensure ourselves to be human, with human feelings, human fears and human needs. What would happen, by the way, if you wouldn’t fight to maintain your human composure any longer? If you would allow this, what is present right now, to fully touch you?If you let yourself be flooded by all this generosity, this compassion, this love and the warmth.What would appear when you wouldn’t care about your composure for a moment?www.nothing-else.eu

http://www.davidfmckee.com David McKee

Jeff, this post couldn’t have come at a better time (of course, it wouldn’t have come at another time, anyway). My wife and I were discussing the post-Christmas letdown yesterday and I was surprised at how strong it was for me, this year. Thanks for opening this up and reminding me – all of us – that we’re not alone.

That’s the default emotion when I’m stressed. When a work crisis flares up, when I’m on my period, when someone cancels a date at the last minute, when I’ve gone too long without eating. Beneath forty layers of functional adult with a full accessory kit, I

As much as I like to pretend that I’m cooler than bitching about Christmas, the holidays are a stressor.

We really weren’t close, me and Dad. I have this thing I say about our relationship, to sound like I’ve gained perspective on the whole thing: Nothing bad happened, but nothing really good happened, either.

Missing your daddy is a privilege for smiling girls in soft sheen Polaroids. The ones whose fathers dutifully checked the oil in their cars before sending them off to college. I miss my dad implies that you have a good reason to mourn.

Tears about my father are less of a tribute to our relationship as much as they’re a general wellness barometer. When I don’t have on all my armor, when something isn’t adjusted properly. Then, I miss my dad. This interpretation of grief often feels like a cop-out.

Christmas Day: I feel fat in this jacket. People around me are acting out decade old power struggles while gift wrapping. I am a guest in someone’s home and can’t complain that their sweet potato pie is terrible. My dad made the best sweet potato pie. I miss my dad.

Carla

Great post….Thank you for giving us the freedom to say, we are blue after Christmas. For me, I am so excited to see my family and give our gifts. It all goes so fast! We are all packing up the cars to get back to our homes for work the next day. It is hard…I just wish I could SLOW it down.
Thanks for the post!

Smkeller777

Its so true, the Christmas blues.I did not find Christmas this year though I Know its not found in “thing’s “but in a person.

Rachel Marie Brown

I most certainly feel like this post was a big (and muchly needed) slap on the wrist.

Thought that’s been running through my mind lately about painting (and writing, for that matter): I get my hands dirty to keep my soul clean.

Yes.

– Rae, imchasingkitetails.com

http://www.zigazag.com/ Jo at ZigaZag

The ham and turkey are but a memory, the wrapping paper recycled, the champagne all drunk! My children are gone. And so I allow myself to grieve Christmas past, just for a day. Tears flow, regrets bubble, happy little poignant memories jerk at my heartstrings and I am faced once again with a normality that doesn’t have such huge expectations. But I am glad. For now it’s time to draw breath and move ahead with joy and happiness into 2013. I wrote about Christmas here with a link to a beautiful lament post about Christmas that Jeff wrote too http://zigazag.com/farewell_christmas_hello_new_year/

thanks for sharing this, since I have met your blog I learned many things…..

Sharon

Well, I disagree with you! I don’t feel Scroogey! My Christmas was delightful and I still enjoy the wonder of family, friends, and the babe in the manger. What a great time to ponder the year and explore the adventures ahead in 2014. Planning realistic goals and wants, boxing up the Christmas decor, and replacing with fresh adornments – that’s where my thoughts go. New opportunities, new friends, new ways to serve and thank God. Joy!

http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/ Robyn Campbell

I had a wonderful time with my family. All here in the farm house together, but for a day. I wish it would be longer. No interruptions, just us. I will write a poem about having to say goodbye to it. We read the Christmas story. And we worshipped at The Feet of our risen SAVIOR. Thanks Jeff!

Debra Dylan

The 12 days of Christmas begin Christmas Day and last through Jan. 6. Quietly celebrating the 12 days helps to make up for health issues and family drama that happened on Christmas Eve/day. Exercising outdoors is a great way to overcome the dreaded emotional impact of the holiday. I also enjoy watching quality cartoons will sipping on a hot chocolate.

Diane

Thanks for this interesting topic Jeff. The past several Christmas seasons have been different for me. Our boys are grown, the oldest has developmental disabilities and though he still lives with us, isn’t too excited about Christmas preparations. The youngest is married now and lives in another state and there’s no grand kids yet. I find without the kids around I am going through a re-adjustment of what Christmas looks like for me. Here’s a post I wrote a few weeks ago that will explain where I’m at in the process:http://aplacecalledspecial.com/2013/12/10/whats-wrong-with-my-christmas-3/

Shelley Hess

Hey, Jeff! Great ideas!! Something for everyone!
Me? Full steam ahead on projects slated for January through March. By beginning early I (and my husband) am using time wisely, which always serves to encourage! Shall also take more time in the next few days focusing on the 2014 plan and its first few steps. This one’s extremely ‘ambitious’, even for us!!!

AnnieCarterUK

I find that being out in the outdoors, absorbing nature’s sights and sounds, helps to infuse my soul with renewed energy after Christmas. Living in the UK means we often have some dull days at this time of year, which can get you down. Thankfully, this year we’ve had plenty of sunshine and it’s been great to head down to our local park or drive further afield into the countryside to invigorate the mind and body. It also helps to stir up the creative juices and start to focus on next year’s projects.

Joyce Glass

Yes Annie! I went for a long walk, and worked out at the gym in my parents neighborhood with my sister. We walked back home… Long walk with hills.. Felt so good even though I am still a little sore today. Love getting some exercise! I needed it bad! I have not been to the gym or exercised at home for 2 months!

Jon Giordano

Excerpt from my daily writing on Christmas Eve: You open that box and… then you wait for the next box to come. You open that box and… what next? Open your heart. It never needs to be wrapped nice and neat with a dainty bow. It’s there, now, forever expanding in each moment.

http://www.ergbennett.wordpress.com/ Erica Bennett

I’m gearing up for my end-of-the-year de-clutter ritual. I don’t remember if I’ve done it in the past, but this year between Christmas and the New Year, I’ve been feeling a strong urge to get rid of all my unnecessary belongings and de-clutter my life. Besides, the more stuff I get rid of, the less stuff I have to move when my husband and I move out of his parents’ house.

Joyce Glass

You make a great point Jeff. I began writing as a way of therapy for myself to process and get through a very painful time in my life. Since then, I journal my heart to God almost everyday. It helps to release it from my brain, and onto the keyboard. Many times God helps me focus on what is good, or speaks to my heart about what I can do to make things better. Sometimes, He simply says “Trust Me.”

I have loved Christmas since I was a little girl. I was the nut that was always up at 4 am staring at the gifts, shaking them or if they were opened touching them. However, this year has been strange. I was so busy this December preparing for a book release and creating a new program online I barely had time to get Christmas shopping done. My house was barely decorated… and well no one received Christmas cards… Baking was non existent. I was sad with myself for not having the time or “making” the time. I finally slowed down this week, and had the best time with family. It was actually nice to go out of town, and spend time with my in-laws & my family. We all get along great with one little exception, and we worked through it. I am emotionally full & happy and wished I could have stayed longer. It was not the physical gifts, but the gift of laughter, time, and food with family that made it wonderful. I am blessed beyond measure, and know for many this is not the case.

Merry Christmas Jeff! & Happy Happy New Year! I am self-publishing my first Bible Study, starting my first online program, and plan to let go of the part-time job by February! Praise the Lord for He is good!

http://www.TheDailyGPS.com/ Joyce Glass

Thanks Jeff for starting Tribe Writers! The group and your inspiration has helped propel my writing! Can’t wait to see where I take off too in 2014!

http://kimanziconstable.com/ kimanzi constable

Great idea Jeff, writing has gotten me through a lot of hard times and really digging the new look

You’re absolutely right Jeff. There is this in-between period from Christmas until the new year. I like to use that time to thank God for the blessings he provided in the past year and begin working on my goals for the coming year. Writing definitely helps to process everything in the past and everything the future has in store.

http://www.tracyline.com/ Tracy L

Interesting. I don’t get that let down feeling after Christmas, I tend to be glad move on from all the craziness of the holiday. However, with all these comments, I see many people do experience the blues, and I couldn’t agree more that writing is great therapy. I journal almost daily and am pretty sure if I didn’t I’d be wound pretty tight!

http://www.skipprichard.com/ Skip Prichard

Great perspective. I’m on the opposite spectrum, cruising at an really productive pace. I’m not as productive right before Christmas and then hit the week running.

No blues — but I am keeping this post close by for when it hits sometime next year.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Cherry Odelberg

Good honest wisdom here. I agree.

Kulandai Swami

‘In other words, grieve’, you say. But I say “REJOICE” – Yes, learn to smile and rejoice! Always!

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Jon Beaty

Jeff, Your post got me to thinking. Every peak we summit seems to be followed by a valley of disappointment. This theme is even evident in many of the best known Bible stories. There were post-Christmas blues in Bethlehem. As I thought more about it, I had to write http://wp.me/p3Z4hR-3x.

Kimberly Budd

Thanks for the suggestion. I wrote a complaint letter to Santa about a gift I received, and it really broke open the funk. And the advice to just write….that was what I really needed. All the best in 2014!

http://www.blogoftheworld.com/ Waqas Khan (Kashi)

Hey Jeff,
Can you believe I enjoy all the desperation after the holidays and I also celebrate it. It really helps me to motivate myself.

http://www.healingrescuedogs.com/ Kathy H Porter

This year, my family made a grape vine wreath (which I blogged about http://bit.ly/1fVPCzZ that honored the family members we miss so much during the holiday season.

Deborah Shelby

I never have post Christmas blues! I think it comes down to two reasons.
First, Christmas is not over for my family after the kids open gifts on Christmas morning. We celebrate Christmas day as the first day of the Christmas season, which lasts until the Epiphany of our Lord. So the tree and decorations and all the lights stay up. We plan activities for several days so we have lots to look forward to! Even though I have to go back to work, we try to do fun things in the evening or weekend. Some years we drive to Bellingrath Gardens to tour the lights. We’ll schedule a movie matinee with the cousins on Saturday, invite one of my sisters and family to dinner, etc. Even gift returns or exchanges become part of the fun, and we’ll eat out after. I usually have little money, so it’ll likely be fast food, but that’s a treat for the kids. Having Christmas drawn out and gently fizzle to a close is much easier than having it slam shut on Christmas day!
Second, my focus is not on gifts, so there’s no let down there either. I’m the mom, so I don’t receive gifts. I’m the giver. After the kids open presents, we have a nice breakfast, get dressed and go to church. Then it’s off to my parents’ house, only an hour away.
When I say the focus is not on gifts, I’m not kidding. Christmas day at my parents’ consists of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and sometimes in-laws as well. Lots of family, lots of FOOD, laughter and fun. The only gifts involved at my parents’ are in a dirty Santa game. It’s entertaining and hysterical fun!

Uhhmerica

I hope there’s more women out there like you, as this is exactly what I hope to do when I eventually have a family of my own. It is definitely something that can really take away the Christmas and holiday blues, as you put it, to draw it out and allow it to slowly fizzle to a close. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving as well and consider them to be part of the holiday season. The anticipation starts over summer, and pretty much by September I am already embracing anything and everything festive. And then, after New Years, I love visiting Disneyland because it is one of the few places that maintains holiday festivities for about a week into January. It takes almost all of January to finally stop thinking about the season that just passed. I started keeping a journal during this 3-4 month period just to go back and remember all that happened (decorating, tv shows and movies watched, being out for various things), because in years passed the season goes by and you feel like you didn’t do anything and can’t remember all the things you did. Anyways, have you heard of an event called Candlemas, or Presentation of Jesus at the Temple? It occurs on February 2, and is considered to be within the Christmas timeline where after the birth of Jesus he was then presented at the Temple of Jerusalem. I’m starting to include Candlemas as one last day to be in the spirit of Christmas and holiday joy. Call me a sap, but that whole period from Sep-Jan is hands down the best time of year. Your post is a year old but its the first one I have read about people extending the Christmas season until well after Christmas Day. So I just wanted to respond and share my thoughts. As a young guy in my mid-20s its hard to find people who embrace the holidays as much as I do. I’m optimistic I’ll meet somebody who does though, as it is mostly a solo operation at the moment.

Deborah Shelby

Hi, you sound like a guy who will make a lot of joyful childhood memories for your future kids some day! I just love your positive energy and enthusiasm. I have not celebrated Candlemas before, but what a great idea!

I think I will try that this year. My kids are in high school, but I still enjoy making special family memories with them. They’ll love having a new holiday!

Your ideas and contagious love of life make you seem like a truly wonderful guy. I hope you meet someone who deserves you and who will share in your joy and celebration of the holiday season!

We’re still celebrating at my house too. My daughter and I just baked lemon bars and ate them in the living room by Christmas tree light. Bah, humbug to people who take down their Christmas decorations before the Epiphany!

Uhhmerica

Thanks for responding. Its always around this time I have to face the inevitable closing of the season, especially as everything else just seems to suddenly drop off entirely. I hate to admit this being a guy, but I’ve actually come to appreciate the Hallmark Channel for being literally the only network that continues holiday programming through New Years. One year I even had my tree up until the Super Bowl and had to force myself to take it down. But yea, in researching how to extend the holiday season I came to learn about days like Epiphany and Candlemas. Anyways, take care and Happy New Year!

http://www.writeplaceblog.com/ Joe Kovacs

There is always such a stressful dash before Christmas–get presents, decorate, do this, do that; I separate that fast-faced madness from the simple joy and excitement of the day of Christmas itself. One wonders why the two have to be connected…who knows, maybe they don’t have to be. Thanks, Jeff, for this insightful post.

Sue Neal

I often have Christmas blues – more before and during the festive season rather than after it, due to losses I’ve experienced and the way my life has changed. This is great advice – I keep a daily journal and often use it to write about my feelings when things get tough – it can be very therapeutic.

maxwell ivey

Hi jeff; more positive than your last post. smile I don’t know why this year’s christmas was so bad for you. I have a loved one who lost a deer friend this year and has had to deal with the memories of him brought up by christmas and she seems much happier. I hope you will be able to get past your feelings through journalling blogging or some other creative outlet. as adults we can probably never recapture the wide eyed wonder of our childhood and expecting to could be part of the problem. My family had a good christmas. we are all healthy live in a modest home and get along on most days. i have fulfilling work even if it isn’t making me rich. My brother gets to watch his son grow up and help him with his school work. I have lots of friends online who help keep me motivated and positive and for whom i do the same. I applaud your idea about creating but i think you should have included get moving. I posted on twitter yesterday that maybe the holidays would be better for a lot of people if more of them started exercising before the holidays instead of promising to start after they are over. the new year is here. things will be better, but you have to decide they will be better and do your part to work for it. have a blessed 2014, max

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Hugs have a magical way of reducing stress and enlivening a moment…offer warm hugs to your loved ones, friends <3

I don't celebrate Christmas, so I am not mourning its loss either, but New Years Eve is another matter. I will be very sad to see another year fade into oblivion

LOVELY ideas, Jeff #HUGSS

Kitto

http://www.savouringsimplicity.com/ EK Bradley

Really happy I read this. Just a few hours ago, my daughter asked me if it was still Christmas. She looked slightly upset. I told her no, it wasn’t. I was once in a ( somewhat crappy) play called 365 Days of Christmas and the concept of making this holiday a daily, year long feeling and way of living stuck with me. I want to honor it way past the 25th and am contemplating how to best do it. Perhaps just through sheer gratitude for what I have.

Uhhmerica

I’ve had similar thoughts about wanting to honor Christmas past the 25th, and for me, I’m always extending it one more day during January until I just force myself to box everything and sweep up. It gets later every year, two years ago I had my tree up until the Super Bowl and then forced myself to just take everything down that day. I don’t know if you subscribe to any faith but in Christian teachings since Jesus was born on Christmas Day it is considered only the beginning in a 40 day period ending with a day called Candlemas (Feb 2) where he was presented at the Temple of Jerusalem. So between Dec 25 and Feb 2 there are a number of celebratory days that pertain directly to the Christmas timeline, the Epiphany being one on Jan 6. In researching how best to extend Christmas I recently came across learning about these days. I wouldn’t consider myself “super” religious, but I grew up in it, and with the right person I can see myself honoring these days in the future as a way to avoid the abrupt end that Dec 26 brings.

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